Sexuality

I receive many requests to explain the biological nature of human sexuality. The questions usually address homosexuality, intersexuality, or transgender feelings.

In my work, I argue that the two-sex system embedded in our society is not adequate to encompass the full spectrum of human sexuality. Discrete buckets – like “nature” or “nurture”, “boy” or “girl” – are too simplistic for the inherent messiness found in nature. As I have argued in The Five Sexes and The Five Sexes Revisited, the boundaries separating masculine and feminine seem harder than ever to define. Some find the changes under way deeply disturbing. Others find them liberating. While the legal system may have an interest in maintaining only two sexes, our collective biologies do not.

My three short articles on the topic listed below are a good place to start, but I provide a list of books for further reading as well.

The Intersex Society of North America. This is a rich resource of bibliographies, personal stories and links to other web sites, which concern sexuality.
The Archive for Sexology. This site has wonderful historical and contemporary resources concerning the academic study of human sexuality.
The International Journal of Transgenderism carries academic articles on transgender theory and practice.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is a national organization for those who support their gay friends and families. They are a good starting point for the friends and family of someone who has just come out as a gay or lesbian.
The Advocate is a biweekly magazine for gays and lesbians. It is a source for national and international news about gay and lesbian life and politics.